PETROL EXPLOSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21954, 10 November 1934, Page 18

PETROL EXPLOSION

SPEED-BOAT DESTROYED PASSENGERS JUMP OVERBOARD In full view of hundreds of people at Manly, Sydney, one evening recently, the speedboat Whoof burst into flames following a petrol explosion. The nine occupants, five of whom were women, leaped into the harbour from the blazing launch, and were picked up. Tho launch later sank.

The speedboat was the holder of several speed records, and was owned by Mr. A. K. Jefferson, of Wolseley Road, Point Piper. It had just left tho amusement pier at Manly shortly after 7 p.m., when a terrific explosion occurred, and it burst into sheets of flame.

Throwing out the seats, which were designed to act as lifebuoys, Mr. Jefferson called to the occupants to jump for their lives. Mrs. Jefferson, Mr. and Mrs. J. McCarthy, Mr. A. Frost, Mr. B. Abbott and Misses Lone, Itatfen and Boyce, immediately sprang into the water, and were followed by Mr. Jefferson, who realised that there was no hope of extinguishing the fire. In a moment all wjere struggling in the water a few yards from the launch. One or two of the women who were indifferent swimmers supported themselves on the floating air cushions, but they were in little danger of drowning as rescue craft were quickly on the scene. A large launch took the nine members of the party on board, and it Was found that fortunately none of them had been seriously injured by the explosion. Several of the party had Blight cuts and abrasions, but hospital treatment was not required. I ollowing the rescue, attention was turned to tho launch. Tho foreshores and the promenade were packed with people, who excitedly viewed tho launch, from which flames were sweeping high into the air. Attempts were made by other launches" to take it in tow and beach it, but these were unsuccessful. Eventually the craft was manoeuvred to a position off the swimming enclosure, and members of the fire brigade ran out a long line of hose, which enabled them to play on the fiercely burning speedboat as it drifted near the enclosure.

The flames proved to have too strong a hold, however, and. completely gutted, the boat sank in deep water. Mr. Jefferson said after the accident that apparently the petrol had been leaking, and had been ignited by the heat of the engine.